When the results of the 2025 Nursing Licensure Examination quietly dropped online at around three in the morning of Thursday, Nov. 27, most of Negros Island was still fast asleep.
But inside a modest home in Barangay Bata, Bacolod City, 23-year-old Carl Andrew Tella-in Soliva, a University of Saint La Salle graduate, woke to the sound of a messenger call that would change the rest of his life.
“It was my classmate,” he recalled. “I had fallen asleep waiting. Then suddenly he called at 3 a.m. to say the results were out.”
Then he saw it — Rank 2, with a rating of 93.60 percent.
“It felt unreal… a mix of shock, disbelief, and joy,” he said, adding “I had surrendered everything to God. Seeing my name at Top 2 was a dream come true.”
SON OF CARINDERIA VENDORS
Carl Andrew grew up in a simple, hard-working household.
His parents, Lester and Gemma Soliva, run a small carinderia, a livelihood built on long hours, early mornings, and quiet sacrifices.
“Nursing was expensive,” he admitted. “My parents couldn’t shoulder everything, but my titas and lola stepped in. And with God’s grace, I became a CHED and University Academic Scholar.”
His siblings also played their part, supporting him emotionally and helping with his day-to-day needs so he could focus on lectures, duties, and eventually the board exams.
“They made sure I could study. That’s why this victory is not mine alone,” he said.
STUDENT LEADER, SCHOLAR
Long before he became one of the highest-scoring nurses in the country, Carl Andrew was already known on campus as a driven achiever.
He served the University of St. La Salle Student Government, rising to become executive treasurer in his senior year.
He had served in student government roles since his freshman year.
Carl Andrew graduated as the sole Summa Cum Laude of his nursing batch, Top 1 of the entire program, and was awarded Best Thesis.
‘CONSISTENCY WAS THE HARDEST’
His board review began in June 2025, but in truth, Carl Andrew believes his preparation started years earlier.
“I trained myself to listen deeply in class. I didn’t take too many notes so I could focus on understanding,” he said, adding “Everything built up toward the board exam.”
At home, he practiced with daily exams, reading rationales not just for the correct answers but especially for his mistakes.
“The hardest part was staying consistent,” he admitted. “There were nights I felt guilty for wasting an hour. But I reminded myself that all of this is for my future patients.”
Burnout did come. And in those moments, he leaned on family, friends, prayer, and the simple act of resting and allowing himself to breathe.
PERHAPS A FUTURE DOCTOR
Now that he is a national topnotcher, Carl Andrew is preparing for two paths, to serve as a bedside nurse and to become a national lecturer, something he discovered a passion for during reviews.
Teaching, he said, gives him joy,, adding “It’s fulfilling when students understand a concept”.
He also does not close the door to pursuing becoming a doctor someday.
In the next five years, his dream is simple: “To be a good nurse, one who gives safe, quality, and compassionate care.”
NEGROS ISLAND’S TOPNOTCHERS
The November 2025 PNLE saw 40,692 passers out of 45,192 examinees, a national passing rate of 90.04 percent, one of the highest in history.
Negros Island produced outstanding topnotchers, with Carl Andrew leading them at Rank 2.
Other Negros-based topnotchers include Khyla Shane Jordan Acab of Silliman University who ranked third with a rating of 93.40 percent, 6th placer Carl Lorenz Fajardo from Riverside College with 92.8 percent, 7th placer Frances Therese Andan Merlas from Silliman University with 92.6 percent;
Eight placers included Lorraine Anne Matias Sabla-on and Justine Dawn Llavore Tabujara of Colegio San Agustin Bacolod, Lizley Katrisha Zaldivar Uy and Frances Lyn Diogenes Vasquez of Riverside College, and Maria Angela Baylon Viovicente of State University of Northern Negros all with a rating of 92.4 percent;
Melchiah Shimeih Cadiz Cañal of Central Philippine Adventist College and Alyssandra Danielle Acebron Sebastian of Negros Oriental State University Dumeguete placed 9th with 92.2 rating;
Merl Andrea Gimolatan Daarol of Silliman University, Chrissie Louise Cayapado Demata of Riverside College, and Maria Gracia Herrera Portillo – Colegio San Agustin Bacolod placed 10th with 92 percent.
‘YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE PERFECT, JUST PRESENT’
To those preparing for the board exam, Carl Andrew said “train your mind to ask how and why”.
“Understand first before memorizing. Take daily practice exams and be honest about your weaknesses”, he said.
Carl Andrew also hopes that may his story show “that ordinary days done consistently can win”.
“You don’t have to be perfect — just present. And when you pass, be someone else’s reason to keep going”, he added.*